Greetings, Heather, and welcome to planDisney! I’m excited that you’re thinking ahead, because planning a Disneyland Resort vacation is half the fun! As a mom with little ones (ages four and six), I completely understand how fast the years fly by. Let’s walk through some of the key planning pieces, and I’ll share a few tips along the way.
Heather, your budget and the timing will depend on what kind of vacation you’re dreaming of. For a completely immersive experience, consider booking a
Disneyland Resort Hotel Vacation Package, which includes accommodations at a Disneyland Resort hotel and theme park tickets! Pricing depends on several factors, including the length of your stay, the days of the week and time of year you plan to visit, the hotel and room type you choose, and whether any special offers are available. It will also change if you upgrade to
Park Hopper Tickets or purchase the
Lightning Lane Multi Pass. I suggest
using the website to explore the various options and see how much you might want to set aside for accommodations and theme park tickets.
Once you’ve got the basics in place, it’s time to think about some of the unforgettable experiences that often become the highlight of any trip. Some of my family’s favorites include:
- Character Dining: Enjoy a meal while Disney friends visit your table! This is always such a fun experience, especially for kids who are delighted each time a Character stops by.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: This is a royal makeover experience inside Disneyland Park for Guests between the ages of 3 and 12. There is a knight package that comes with a sword and shield.
- Dining Events: Pair a meal with reserved viewing for a specified show. There are some great options for various budgets and priorities.
Don't forget to add snacks, meals, and souvenirs to your budget.
Typically, vacation packages and Disneyland Resort hotel reservations become available during the summer the year before, so mark your calendar for Summer 2029. Since a lot can change between now and then, I recommend revisiting your plans once or twice a year to stay up to date and refine your budget. You won't make dining reservations until around 60 days before your trip.
The Disneyland Resort offers so many fun experiences for young kids, from rides to shows and Character encounters. You can even filter attractions on the
Disneyland website or in the
mobile app to see attractions by height restrictions or thrill level. My kids love exploring Mickey's Toontown, enjoying the whimsical rides of Fantasyland, riding on the Disneyland Railroad, and meeting their favorite Characters.
Heather, I suggest following
Disneyland on Instagram and periodically checking the
Disney Parks Blog for the latest news and highlights at the Disneyland Resort. If you have more questions as your plans come together, please reach out – we’re always happy to help here at planDisney.
Your pal,
Kriss